Orchestre de chambre

The orchestra: Orfeo 55

Since its inception in 2009, Orfeo 55 has preformed worldwide under the baton of singer Nathalie Stutzmann in a unique partnership where vocal soloist is also conductor.

Their repertoire has developed into a wide range of works including all the well known arias and instrumental pieces by Baroque composers such as Vivaldi, Handel and Bach, which the group interprets on period instruments, as well as masterpieces from a more recent period by Richard Strauss and Arnold Schoenberg. Recent reviews have immediately highlighted: “the full bodied sound produced with both strength and flexibility, the organic rhythm and intoxicating phrasing”.

An array of acclaimed recordings have been released, first under the Deutsche Grammophon label with two titles: Prima Donna is a collection of Vivaldi’s arias for contralto and ensemble and Une Cantate Imaginaire celebrates Bach with a selection of his most notable arias, which Nathalie Stutzmann interprets together with the ensemble and the Mikaeli Kammarkör. ERATO/Warner Classics is now their exclusive label; this collaboration started in earnest with a much praised recording of arias written for Handel’s secondary operatic characters. Entitled Heroes from the Shadows, it has been acclaimed in the press with a Diapason d’Or, Melómano de Oro and Editor’s Choice in Gramophone. Their next release with ERATO will be dedicated to ‘Arie Antiche’, a collection of beautiful Italian arias from the 18th century, restored here in their original arrangement.

The ensemble has been invited to the most prestigious festivals and concert halls in Europe including the Salzbourg, Verbier, Halle, Saint-Denis and Lausanne (Bach) festivals as well as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Victoria Hall in Geneva, Wigmore Hall in London, Palau de la Musica in Valencia, Auditorio Nacional in Madrid and the Opera in Monte-Carlo. In France, the ensemble has performed at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Philharmonie, Royal Opera in Versailles, Salle Pleyel, Opéra-Théâtre in Bordeaux, Halle aux Grains in Toulouse and Arsenal in Metz, where it was resident from 2010 to 2015.

A stellar line-up of international soloists have performed with the ensemble at the invitation of Nathalie Stutzmann, including Magdalena Kožená, Philippe Jaroussky, Renaud Capuçon and Sonya Yoncheva.

From September 2017 and for three seasons, Orfeo 55 will be in Residency at the Opéra Orchestre national Montpellier Occitanie. The opening of the Residency will coincide with the release of the new album Quella Fiamma! Arie Antiche under ERATO/Warner Classics and will be celebrated in Montpellier on November 5, 2017. There will be a series of projects at the Opera Comédie and in the region as part of a rich partnership.

Orfeo 55 is supported by le Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication since 2016, as well as the Opéra de Monte Carlo and the Association Eurydice 55. Nathalie Stutzmann is Associated-Artist of the Singer-Polignac foundation.